Germany arrests three for giving 'sensitive' tech to strengthen Chinese navy

German officials have arrested two men and a woman on suspicion of collaborating with China’s Ministry of State Security to obtain sensitive ship-engine technology and procure a specialised laser without proper export authorisation.

According to a Reuters report, prosecutors identified the suspects as Herwig F. and Ina F, a married couple who run a company in Dusseldorf, and Thomas R., whom prosecutors described as an agent for an employee of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).

Part of that agreement involved preparing a study for a Chinese contractual partner on machine parts that can be used for the operation of powerful marine engines such as combat ships, Reuters quoted prosecutors as saying in a statement.

The Chinese contract partner was the MSS employee from whom Thomas R. received his orders, it added.

The suspects also purchased a special laser from Germany on behalf of and with payment from the MSS and exported it to China without authorisation, according to the prosecutors, who did not specify what the laser could be used for.

The arrests came a week after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to China to press Beijing on its support for Russia’s wartime economy after the invasion of Ukraine and to raise issues of intellectual property theft and fair market access.

Germany, which considers China both a partner and a rival, is also concerned about China exporting dual use goods to Russia which can be deployed on the battlefield.

Last year, Scholz’s government presented a strategy paper referring to China as both a key trade partner and a systemic rival. It also warned companies and research institutes about the threat of cyber and hybrid security risks from China.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that Germany is “aware of the considerable danger posed by Chinese espionage in business, industry and science” and called China’s apparent targeting of technology that can be used for military purposes “particularly sensitive.”

“We are looking very closely at these risks and threats and have issued clear warnings and raised awareness so that protective measures are increased everywhere,” Bloomberg quoted Faeser as saying in an emailed statement.

The Chinese embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, Germany arrested two Russian-German nationals on suspicion of spying for Russia. They are said to have plotted sabotage attacks aimed at undermining Germany’s military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Monday’s arrests were made on the basis of intelligence gathered by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, prosecutors said.

With inputs from agencies